Light emitting apparatus having first luminous body and second luminous body

ABSTRACT

A first luminous body is formed on a substrate and is linear. A second luminous body is also formed on the substrate and is linear. The second luminous body extends in parallel with the first luminous body. A first anode and a first cathode are formed on the substrate, and supply electric power to the first luminous body. A second anode and a second cathode are also formed on the substrate, and supply electric power to the second luminous body. The first anode and the first cathode extend in parallel with each other, and the second anode and the second cathode extend in parallel with each other. In a range overlapping with the first luminous body when seen in a plan view, the first anode is not connected to the second anode, and the first cathode is not connected to the second cathode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e), this application is a continuationapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/426,856, filed Mar.9, 2015, which is a national stage entry of PCT application No.PCT/JP2012/073099, filed on Sep. 10, 2012, the contents of which areincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a light emitting apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

One of the devices for converting electric energy into light is anorganic electro luminescence (EL) device. The organic EL device has astructure in which an organic light emitting layer is interposed betweentwo electrodes. For example, in Patent Document 1, one electrode is asolid electrode, and an organic light emitting layer and the otherelectrode are linear.

In addition, in Patent Document 2, an adjusting resistor is disposedbetween a driving circuit and each pixel. The adjusting resistor isdisposed to adjust current density flowing in each pixel.

Further, in Patent Document 3, by making the length of wiring from aconnector to the scanning electrode redundant in an organic EL displayincluding a scanning electrode and a data electrode, resistance valuesof these wirings become approximately identical to each other.Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a variation in the luminance ofa display element.

RELATED DOCUMENT Patent Document

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No.2000-252063

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No.2001-117525

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-72033

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

When the light emitting apparatus including the organic light emittinglayer is used as a light source, a plurality of light emittingapparatuses having identical structures may be used in parallel. In thiscase, it is necessary to make a boundary line of the plurality of lightemitting apparatuses obscure according to usage. For this reason, it isdesirable to design the light emitting apparatus such that a differencein the luminance of the boundary line between the adjacent lightemitting apparatuses falls within a constant range.

On the other hand, in the light emitting apparatus including the organiclight emitting layer, in order to stabilize the voltage, the cathode mayoften be the solid electrode, and the organic light emitting layer andthe other electrode may often be linear. As a result of consideration ofthe present inventors, it has been found that, in such a structure,luminance is changed even when the same voltage is applied to the sameorganic light emitting layer in a case where the entire organic lightemitting layer emits light, and in a case where only a part of theorganic light emitting layer emits light. For this reason, in thestructure described above, it is difficult to design the light emittingapparatus such that a difference in luminance at the boundary linebetween the adjacent light emitting apparatuses falls within a constantrange in both the case where the entire organic light emitting layeremits light, and the case where only a part of the organic lightemitting layer emits light.

An example of an object of the present invention is to enable a lightemitting apparatus including an organic light emitting layer to bedesigned such that a difference in luminance at a boundary line betweenadjacent light emitting apparatuses falls within a constant range inboth a case where the entire organic light emitting layer emits light,and a case where only a part of the organic light emitting layer emitslight.

The invention according to Claim 1 is a light emitting apparatusincluding a substrate; a first luminous body which is formed on thesubstrate, includes a first organic light emitting layer, and is linear;a second luminous body which is formed on the substrate, includes asecond organic light emitting layer, is linear, and is parallel with thefirst luminous body; a first anode and a first cathode which extend inthe same direction, and interpose the first luminous body therebetween;and a second anode and a second cathode which extend in the samedirection, and interpose the second luminous body therebetween, in whichthe first anode is not connected to the second anode, and the firstcathode is not connected to the second cathode.

The light emitting apparatus according to Claim 8 is a light emittingapparatus in which a plurality of the light emitting apparatusesaccording to Claim 1 are connected in series.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The object described above, and other objects, characteristics, andadvantages will become more obvious with reference to the followingpreferred embodiments and the following drawings attached thereto.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a light emittingapparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an A₁-A₂ cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a B₁-B₂ cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating the structure of afirst luminous body.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement method of a plurality oflight emitting apparatuses.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement method of the pluralityof light emitting apparatuses.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the distribution of luminance in anextending direction of a first luminescent line, a second luminescentline, and a third luminescent line in a reference example.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a modification example of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a modification example of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a configuration of alight emitting apparatus 10 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for illustrating an effect of the light emittingapparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the drawings. Furthermore, in all of the drawings, the samereference numerals are applied to the same constituent parts, and thedescription thereof will not be repeated.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of a light emittingapparatus 10 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an A₁-A₂cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. The light emitting apparatus 10according to this embodiment includes a substrate 100, a first luminousbody 116, a second luminous body 126, a first anode 112, a first cathode114, a second anode 122, and a second cathode 124. The first luminousbody 116 is formed on the substrate 100, and includes a first organiclight emitting layer (a light emitting layer 306 of FIG. 4). The firstluminous body 116 is linear, and for example, forms a striped pattern.The second luminous body 126 is formed on the substrate 100, andincludes a second organic light emitting layer (the light emitting layer306 of FIG. 4). The second luminous body 126 is also linear, and forexample, forms a striped pattern, and extends in parallel with the firstluminous body 116. The first anode 112 and the first cathode 114 areformed on the substrate 100, and extend in the same direction. The firstanode 112 and the first cathode 114 interpose the first luminous body116 therebetween, and thus supply electric power to the first luminousbody 116. The second anode 122 and the second cathode 124 are alsoformed on the substrate 100, and extend in the same direction. Thesecond anode 122 and the second cathode 124 interpose the secondluminous body 126 therebetween, and supply electric power to the secondluminous body 126.

According to this embodiment, in a range overlapping with the firstluminous body 116 when seen in a plan view, the first anode 112 is notconnected to the second anode 122, and the first cathode 114 is notconnected to the second cathode 124. For this reason, properties (forexample, the amount of resistance) of the first anode 112 and the firstcathode 114, and properties of the second anode 122 and the secondcathode 124 are able to be designed independently of each other. Inaddition, as described later with reference to FIG. 7, a condition whenthe first luminous body 116 and the second luminous body 126 emit lightat the same time, and a condition when the first luminous body 116 andthe second luminous body 126 emit light independently are able to beidentical to each other. Accordingly, when a plurality of light emittingapparatuses 10 are arranged in parallel, it is possible to design thelight emitting apparatus 10 such that a difference in luminance at aboundary line of the adjacent light emitting apparatuses 10 falls withina constant range in both a case where the first luminous body 116 andthe second luminous body 126 emit light at the same time, and a casewhere only the first luminous body 116 or the second luminous body 126emits light. For example, in the boundary line of the adjacent lightemitting apparatuses 10, when the higher luminance is α, and the lowerluminance is β, (α−β)/α, for example, is less than 0.30, preferably lessthan or equal to 0.1, and more preferably less than or equal to 0.05.Hereinafter, the details will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the light emitting apparatus 10 includes aplurality of first luminescent lines 110, a plurality of secondluminescent lines 120, and a plurality of third luminescent lines 130 onthe substrate 100. Specifically, the first luminescent line 110, thesecond luminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130 extendlinearly in a first direction (a Y direction of FIG. 1). Then, the firstluminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120, and the thirdluminescent line 130 are repeatedly arranged in this order in a seconddirection (an X direction of FIG. 1) which is perpendicular to the firstdirection. For this reason, the first luminescent line 110, the secondluminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130 are arranged onthe substrate 100 at a high density, and thus it is possible to increasethe emission intensity of the light emitting apparatus 10. Furthermore,an insulating layer 140 (illustrated in FIG. 2) is formed between therespective luminescent lines.

Each of the first luminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120,and the third luminescent line 130 includes an organic light emittinglayer. The first luminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120,and the third luminescent line 130 emit light having properties whichare different from each other. For example, the first luminescent line110, the second luminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130emit light having a red color, a green color, and a blue color,respectively. However, a combination of light emitted by the firstluminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120, and the thirdluminescent line 130 is not limited thereto.

The first luminescent line 110 includes the first anode 112 (illustratedin FIG. 2) and the first cathode 114 (illustrated in FIG. 2), the secondluminescent line 120 includes the second anode 122 (illustrated in FIG.2) and the second cathode 124 (illustrated in FIG. 2), and the thirdluminescent line 130 includes the third anode 132 (illustrated in FIG.2) and the third cathode 134 (illustrated in FIG. 2). When limited to aregion overlapping with the first luminescent line 110, the secondluminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130 in an extendingdirection (the Y direction of FIG. 1) of the first luminescent line 110,the second luminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130, thefirst anode 112, the second anode 122, and the third anode 132 areseparated from each other, and the first cathode 114, the second cathode124, and the third cathode 134 are also separated from each other.

The light emitting apparatus 10 includes a first anode terminal 212, asecond anode terminal 222, a third anode terminal 232, a first cathodeterminal 214, a second cathode terminal 224, and a third cathodeterminal 234. The first anode terminal 212 and the first cathodeterminal 214 are terminals for supplying electric power to a pluralityof first luminescent lines 110. The second anode terminal 222 and thesecond cathode terminal 224 are terminals for supplying electric powerto a plurality of second luminescent lines 120. The third anode terminal232 and the third cathode terminal 234 are terminals for supplyingelectric power to a plurality of third luminescent lines 130.

The first anode terminal 212 is disposed in a position of an edge of thesubstrate 100 facing one end portion of the first luminescent line 110or in the vicinity thereof, and is connected to the first anode 112 ofthe first luminescent line 110. The second anode terminal 222 isdisposed in a position of the edge of the substrate 100 facing one endportion of the second luminescent line 120 or in the vicinity thereof,and is connected to the second anode 122 of the second luminescent line120. The third anode terminal 232 is disposed in a position of the edgeof the substrate 100 facing one end portion of the third luminescentline 130 or in the vicinity thereof, and is connected to the third anode132 of the third luminescent line 130.

The first cathode terminal 214 is disposed in a position of the edge ofthe substrate 100 facing the other end portion of the first luminescentline 110 or in the vicinity thereof, and is connected to the firstcathode 114 of the first luminescent line 110. The second cathodeterminal 224 is disposed in a position of the edge of the substrate 100facing the other end portion of the second luminescent line 120 or inthe vicinity thereof, and is connected to the second cathode 124 of thesecond luminescent line 120. The third cathode terminal 234 is disposedin a position of the edge of the substrate 100 facing the other endportion of the third luminescent line 130 or in the vicinity thereof,and is connected to the third cathode 134 of the third luminescent line130.

By arranging the first anode terminal 212, the second anode terminal222, the third anode terminal 232, the first cathode terminal 214, thesecond cathode terminal 224, and the third cathode terminal 234 in thismanner, it is possible to decrease the length of wiring between theseterminals and the first luminescent line 110, the second luminescentline 120, and the third luminescent line 130, and it is possible toreduce the resistance of the wiring.

The substrate 100 is rectangular. The first luminescent line 110, thesecond luminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130 extendalong one side of the substrate 100. The first anode terminal 212, thesecond anode terminal 222, and the third anode terminal 232 are disposedon one side 102 (a first side) among the two sides of the substrate 100perpendicular to the first luminescent line 110, the second luminescentline 120, and the third luminescent line 130. The first cathode terminal214, the second cathode terminal 224, and the third cathode terminal 234are disposed on a side 104 (a second side) facing the side 102.

By using such a layout, when a plurality of light emitting apparatuses10 is arranged vertically, it is possible to easily connect theplurality of light emitting apparatuses 10 in series. This effectbecomes particularly remarkable in a direction in which the sides 102and 104 extend (the X direction of FIG. 1), when a position of the firstanode terminal 212 overlaps with a position of the first cathodeterminal 214, a position of the second anode terminal 222 overlaps witha position of the second cathode terminal 224, and a position of thethird anode terminal 232 overlaps with a position of the third cathodeterminal 234.

Next, a structure of the first luminescent line 110, the secondluminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 2. The first luminescent line 110 has aconfiguration in which the first anode 112, the first luminous body 116,and the first cathode 114 are laminated on the substrate 100 in thisorder. The second luminescent line 120 has a configuration in which thesecond anode 122, the second luminous body 126, and the second cathode124 are laminated on the substrate 100 in this order. The thirdluminescent line 130 has a configuration in which the third anode 132,the third luminous body 136, and the third cathode 134 are laminated onthe substrate 100 in this order.

Specifically, the respective luminescent lines are insulated by theinsulating layer 140. The insulating layer 140 is formed in a regionpositioned between the respective luminescent lines on the substrate100. The insulating layer 140 is not formed on an upper surface of aregion excluding an end portion in an upper surface of the first anode112, a region excluding an end portion in an upper surface of the secondanode 122, or a region excluding an end portion of the third anode 132.Then, in the region in the upper surface of the first anode 112 in whichthe insulating layer 140 is not formed, the first luminous body 116 andthe first cathode 114 are laminated in this order. In addition, in theregion in the upper surface of the second anode 122 in which theinsulating layer 140 is not formed, the second luminous body 126 and thesecond cathode 124 are laminated in this order. Further, in the regionin the upper surface of the third anode 132 in which the insulatinglayer 140 is not formed, the third luminous body 136 and the thirdcathode 134 are laminated in this order.

In addition, in a portion of the insulating layer 140 positioned betweenthe respective luminescent lines, a partition wall 150 formed of aninsulating material is formed. The partition wall 150 is reverselytapered, and has an upper surface which is wider than a lower surface.The partition wall 150 is formed such that a material of the firstluminous body 116, a material of the second luminous body 126, amaterial of the third luminous body 136, and materials of the firstcathode 114, the second cathode 124, and the third cathode 134 are notformed on the insulating layer 140. That is, the partition wall 150 isdisposed, and thus the luminous bodies and the cathodes of therespective luminescent lines are separated from each other.

The substrate 100, for example, is formed of quartz, glass, metal, or aresin such as plastic. When a light emitting surface of the lightemitting apparatus 10 is the substrate 100, the substrate 100 is formedof a material transmitting light emitted by the first luminescent line110, the second luminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line130.

The first anode 112, the second anode 122, and the third anode 132 areformed of the same material. When the substrate 100 is the lightemitting surface, the first anode 112, the second anode 122, and thethird anode 132 are a transparent electrode of indium tin oxide (ITO),indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), or the like. Furthermore,when a surface of the light emitting apparatus 10 opposite to thesubstrate 100 is the light emitting surface, the first anode 112, thesecond anode 122, and the third anode 132 are formed of metal such asAl.

The first cathode 114, the second cathode 124, and the third cathode 134are formed of the same material. When the substrate 100 is the lightemitting surface, the first cathode 114, the second cathode 124, and thethird cathode 134 are formed of metal such as Al. Furthermore, when thesurface of the light emitting apparatus 10 opposite to the substrate 100is the light emitting surface, the first cathode 114, the second cathode124, and the third cathode 134 are a transparent electrode of Indium TinOxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), or the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first luminescent line 110 extendslinearly. A current flows into the first cathode 114 from the entiresurface of the first anode 112 through the first luminous body 116. Onthe other hand, both of the first anode 112 and the first cathode 114include a resistance component. For this reason, when a resistance valueof the first anode 112 per unit length and a resistance value of thefirst cathode 114 per unit length are not substantially uniform,distribution of luminance in the first luminescent line 110 occurs inthe extending direction of the first luminescent line 110. When such adistribution of luminance occurs, a difference between a one end sideand the other end side of the first luminescent line 110 may be morelikely to occur. In this case, a difference in luminance occurs at theboundary line between the adjacent light emitting apparatuses 10.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the resistance value of the first anode112 per unit length is designed to be approximately identical to theresistance value of the first cathode 114 per unit length. In addition,a difference in luminance between the one end side and the other endside of the first luminescent line 110 (that is, the first cathodeterminal 214 side and the first anode terminal 212 side) is designed tobe small. For example, when the higher luminance between the luminanceon the anode terminal side and the luminance on the cathode terminalside is a, and the lower luminance is β, (α−β)/α<0.30, and is preferablyless than or equal to 0.1, and more preferably less than or equal to0.05. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, by adjusting thethickness or the width of the first cathode 114 and the first anode 112,it is possible to adjust the resistance value of the first anode 112 andthe first cathode 114 per unit length.

For example, when one of the first anode 112 and the first cathode 114is a transparent electrode, and the other is a metal electrode, thetransparent electrode has resistance which is greater than that of themetal electrode, and thus the metal electrode is made thinner than thetransparent electrode. Thus, it is possible to easily make substantiallyuniform the resistance value of the first anode 112 per unit length andthe resistance value of the first cathode 114 per unit length.

Furthermore, the second luminescent line 120 and the third luminescentline 130 have the same configuration as that of the first luminescentline 110.

A plurality of first luminescent lines 110, a plurality of secondluminescent lines 120, and a plurality of third luminescent lines 130are each disposed on the substrate 100. Then, all of a plurality offirst anodes 112 are connected to the same first anode terminal 212, andall of a plurality of first cathodes 114 are connected to the same firstcathode terminal 214. In addition, all of a plurality of second anodes122 are connected to the same second anode terminal 222, and all of aplurality of second cathodes 124 are connected to the same secondcathode terminal 224. Further, all of a plurality of third anodes 132are connected to the same third anode terminal 232, and all of aplurality of third cathodes 134 are connected to the same third cathodeterminal 234. For this reason, even when the plurality of firstluminescent lines 110, the plurality of second luminescent lines 120,and the plurality of third luminescent lines 130 are disposed on thesubstrate 100, it is possible to easily connect the plurality of firstluminescent lines 110, the plurality of second luminescent lines 120,and the plurality of third luminescent lines 130 to a display driver.

FIG. 3 is a B₁-B₂ cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. As described withreference to FIG. 2, the first luminescent line 110 has a configurationin which the first anode 112, the first luminous body 116, and the firstcathode 114 are laminated on the substrate 100. The first luminous body116 and the first cathode 114 do not cover the end portion of the firstanode 112 on the side facing the side 102. The first anode 112 isconnected to the first anode terminal 212 through the portion which isnot covered with the first luminous bodies 116 and 114.

In addition, the first cathode 114 is positioned to be closer to theside 104 than the first anode 112 and the first luminous body 116 in astate where the end portion on the side 104 side is insulated from thefirst anode 112. For example, in an example illustrated in this drawing,the insulating layer 140 is formed in an end surface of the first anode112 and the first luminous body 116 on the side facing the side 104.Then, the end portion of the first cathode 114 on the side of the side104 extends onto the substrate 100 by way of an end surface of theinsulating layer 140. Then, the first cathode 114 is connected to thefirst cathode terminal 214 through a portion positioned on the substrate100.

Furthermore, the second luminescent line 120 and the third luminescentline 130 have the same configuration as that of the first luminescentline 110.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating the structure of thefirst luminous body 116. Furthermore, the second luminous body 126 andthe third luminous body 136 have the same structure as that of the firstluminous body 116.

The first luminous body 116 has a laminated structure in which a holeinjection layer 302, a hole transport layer 304, a light emitting layer306 (the first organic light emitting layer: the second organic lightemitting layer in a case of the second luminous body 126), an electrontransport layer 308, and an electron injection layer 310 are laminatedon the first anode 112 in this order. Each of these layers may be formedby either a coating method or a vapor deposition method. Furthermore,when the layers are formed by a vapor deposition method, as a materialof each of the layers, the following are exemplified.

As a phosphorescent organic compound used in the light emitting layer306, Bis(3,5-difluoro-2-(2-pyridyl) phenyl-(2-carboxypyridyl)iridium(III), Tris(2-phenylpyridine) iridium(III), andBis(2-phenylbenzothiazolato) (acetylacetonate) iridium(III) which areiridium complexes, Osmium(II)bis(3-trifluoromethyl-5-(2-pyridyl)-pyrazolate) dimethylphenylphosphinewhich is an osmium complex, Tris(dibenzoylmethane) phenanthrolineeuropium(III) of a rare earth compound,2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-Octaethyl-21H, 23H-porphine, platinum(II) which is aplatinum complex, and the like are able to be exemplified.

In addition, as an organic compound having electron transport propertieswhich is a main component of the light emitting layer 306, the electrontransport layer 308, and the electron injection layer 310, a polycycliccompound such as p-terphenyl and quaterphenyl and a derivative thereof,a condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon compound such as naphthalene,tetracene, pyrene, coronene, chrysene, anthracene, diphenyl anthracene,naphthacene, and phenanthrene and a derivative thereof, a condensedheterocyclic compound such as phenanthroline, bathophenanthroline,phenanthridine, acridine, quinoline, quinoxaline, and phenazine and aderivative thereof, fluorescein, perylene, phthaloperylene,naphthaloperylene, perynone, phthaloperinone, naphthaloperinone,diphenyl butadiene, tetraphenyl butadiene, oxadiazole, aldazine,bisbenzoxazoline, bisstyryl, pyrazine, cyclopentadiene, oxine, aminoquinoline, imine, diphenyl ethylene, vinyl anthracene, diaminocarbazole,pyran, thiopyran, polymethine, merocyanine, quinacridone, rubrene, andthe like, a derivative thereof, and the like are able to be exemplified.

Further, as the organic compound having electron transport properties, ametal chelate complex compound, in particular, in a metal chelatedoxanoid compound, 8-quinolinolato such as tris(8-quinolinolato)aluminum, bis(8-quinolinolato) magnesium, bis[benzo(f)-8-quinolinolato]zinc, bis(2-methyl-8-quinolinolato) (4-phenyl-phenolato) aluminum,tris(8-quinolinolato) indium, tris(5-methyl-8-quinolinolato) aluminum,8-quinolinolato lithium, tris(5-chloro-8-quinolinolato) gallium, andbis(5-chloro-8-quinolinolato) calcium or a metal complex having at leastone derivative thereof as a ligand are able to be exemplified.

In addition, as the organic compound having electron transportproperties, oxadiazoles, triazines, a stilbene derivative and adistyrylarylene derivative, a styryl derivative, and a diolefinderivative are able to be preferably used.

Further, as an organic compound which is able to be used as the organiccompound having electron transport properties, benzoxazoles such as2,5-bis(5,7-di-t-bentyl-2-benzoxazolyl)-1,3,4-thiazole,4,4′-bis(5,7-t-pentyl-2-benzoxazolyl) stilbene,4,4′-bis[5,7-di-(2-methyl-2-butyl)-2-benzoxazolyl] stilbene,2,5-bis(5,7-di-t-pentyl-2-benzoxazolyl) thiophene,2,5-bis[5-(α,α-dimethyl benzyl)-2-benzoxazolyl] thiophene,2,5-bis[5,7-di-(2-methyl-2-butyl)-2-benzoxazolyl]-3,4-diphenylthiophene, 2,5-bis(5-methyl-2-benzoxazolyl) thiophene,4,4′-bis(2-benzoxazolyl) biphenyl,5-methyl-2-{2-[4-(5-methyl-2-benzoxazolyl) phenyl] vinyl} benzoxazole,and 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl) vinyl] naphtho(1,2-d) oxazole, benzothiazolessuch as 2,2′-(p-phenylene divinylene)-bisbenzothiazole,2-{2-[4-(2-benzimidazolyl) phenyl] vinyl} benzimidazole,2-[2-(4-carboxyphenyl) vinyl] benzoimidazole, and the like are included.

Further, as the organic compound having electron transport properties,1,4-bis(2-methylstyryl) benzene, 1,4-bis(3-methylstyryl) benzene,1,4-bis(4-methylstyryl) benzene, distyryl benzene,1,4-bis(2-ethylstyryl) benzene, 1,4-bis(3-ethylstyryl) benzene,1,4-bis(2-methylstyryl)-2-methyl benzene,1,4-bis(2-methylstyryl)-2-ethyl benzene, and the like are also included.

In addition, as the organic compound having electron transportproperties, 2,5-bis(4-methylstyryl) pyrazine, 2,5-bis(4-ethylstyryl)pyrazine, 2,5-bis[2-(1-naphthyl) vinyl] pyrazine,2,5-bis(4-methoxystyryl) pyrazine, 2,5-bis[2-(4-biphenyl) vinyl]pyrazine, 2,5-bis[2-(1-pyrenyl) vinyl] pyrazine, and the like areincluded.

In addition, as the organic compound having electron transportproperties, a known material such as 1,4-phenylene dimethylidine,4,4′-phenylene dimethylidine, 2,5-xylylene dimethylidine,2,6-naphthylene dimethylidine, 1,4-biphenylene dimethylidine,1,4-p-terphenylene dimethylidine, 9,10-anthracenediyl dimethylidine,4,4′-(2,2-di-t-butylphenylvinyl) biphenyl, and 4,4′-(2,2-diphenylvinyl)biphenyl which is used in manufacturing an organic EL element of therelated art is able to be suitably used.

On the other hand, as an organic compound having hole transportproperties which is used in the hole transport layer 304 or the lightemitting layer having hole transport properties,N,N,N′,N′-tetraphenyl-4,4′-diaminophenyl, N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-di(3-methylphenyl)-4,4′-diaminobiphenyl, 2,2-bis(4-di-p-tolylaminophenyl) propane,N,N,N′,N′-tetra-p-tolyl-4,4′-diaminobiphenyl,bis(4-di-p-tolylaminophenyl) phenyl methane,N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-di(4-methoxyphenyl)-4,4′-diaminobiphenyl,N,N,N′,N′-tetraphenyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether,4,4′-bis(diphenylamino) quadriphenyl,4-N,N-diphenylamino-(2-diphenylvinyl) benzene,3-methoxy-4′-N,N-diphenylamino stilbenzene, N-phenyl carbazole,1,1-bis(4-di-p-triaminophenyl)-cyclohexane,1,1-bis(4-di-p-triaminophenyl)-4-phenyl cyclohexane,bis(4-dimethylamino-2-methylphenyl)-phenyl methane, N,N,N-tri(p-tolyl)amine, 4-(di-p-tolylamino)-4′-[4(di-p-tolylamino) styryl] stilbene,N,N,N′,N′-tetra-p-tolyl-4,4′-diamino-biphenyl,N,N,N′,N′-tetraphenyl-4,4′-diamino-biphenyl N-phenyl carbazole,4,4′-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl,4,4″-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-amino] p-terphenyl,4,4′-bis[N-(2-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl,4,4′-bis[N-(3-acenaphthenyl)-N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl,1,5-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-amino] naphthalene,4,4′-bis[N-(9-anthryl)-N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl,4,4″-bis[N-(1-anthryl)-N-phenyl-amino] p-terphenyl,4,4′-bis[N-(2-phenanthryl)-N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl,4,4′-bis[N-(8-fluoranthenyl)-N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl,4,4′-bis[N-(2-pyrenyl)-N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl,4,4′-bis[N-(2-perylenyl)-N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl,4,4′-bis[N-(1-coronenyl)-N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl,2,6-bis(di-p-tolylamino) naphthalene, 2,6-bis[di-(1-naphthyl) amino]naphthalene, 2,6-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-(2-naphthyl) amino] naphthalene,4,4″-bis[N,N-di(2-naphthyl) amino] terphenyl,4,4′-bis{N-phenyl-N-[4-(1-naphthyl) phenyl] amino} biphenyl,4,4′-bis[N-phenyl-N-(2-pyrenyl)-amino] biphenyl,2,6-bis[N,N-di(2-naphthyl) amino] fluorene,4,4″-bis(N,N-di-p-tolylamino) terphenyl, bis(N-1-naphthyl)(N-2-naphthyl) amine, and the like are able to be exemplified.

Further, as the organic compound having the hole transport properties, amaterial in which the above-described organic compounds are dispersed ina polymer, and material obtained by polymerizing the above-describedorganic compounds are also able to be used. A so-called n-conjugatedpolymer such as poly-para-phenylene vinylene and a derivative thereof, ahole transporting non-conjugated polymer represented bypoly(N-vinylcarbazole), and a sigma conjugated polymer such aspolysilanes are also able to be used.

The material of the hole injection layer 302 is not particularlylimited, and as the material, metal phthalocyanines such as copperphthalocyanine (CuPc) and metal-free phthalocyanines, a carbon film, aconductive polymer such as polyaniline are able to be preferably used.

Next, a manufacturing method of the light emitting apparatus 10illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 will be described. First, a conductivefilm which becomes the first anode 112, the second anode 122, and thethird anode 132, for example, is formed on the substrate 100 by asputtering method. Subsequently, a mask pattern (for example, a resistpattern) is formed on the conductive film, and the conductive film isetched by using the mask pattern as a mask. Accordingly, the first anode112, the second anode 122, and the third anode 132 are formed.

Subsequently, a photosensitive insulating film, for example, a polyimidefilm is formed on the substrate 100, on the first anode 112, on thesecond anode 122, and on the third anode 132, and the insulating film isexposed and developed. Accordingly, the insulating layer 140 is formed.Subsequently, a photosensitive insulating film, for example, a resistfilm is formed on the first anode 112, on the second anode 122, on thethird anode 132, and on the insulating layer 140, and the resist film isexposed and developed. Accordingly, the partition wall 150 having areversely tapered cross-sectional surface is formed.

Subsequently, the first luminous body 116 is formed on the first anode112 by a vapor deposition method using a shadow mask. In addition, thesecond luminous body 126 is formed on the second anode 122 by a vapordeposition method using a shadow mask. In addition, the third luminousbody 136 is formed on the third anode 132 by a vapor deposition methodusing a shadow mask.

Subsequently, a conductive film which becomes the first cathode 114, thesecond cathode 124, and the third cathode 134, for example, is formed bya vapor deposition method. In this step, the partition wall 150 having areversely tapered cross-sectional surface covers a space between thefirst luminous body 116 and the second luminous body 126, a spacebetween the second luminous body 126 and the third luminous body 136,and a space between the third luminous body 136 and the first luminousbody 116. For this reason, the first cathode 114, the second cathode124, and the third cathode 134 are formed to be separated from eachother.

Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the light emitting apparatus 10is not limited to the examples described above.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are diagrams illustrating an arrangement method of aplurality of light emitting apparatuses 10. When the substrate 100 isrectangular, the first anode terminal 212, the second anode terminal222, and the third anode terminal 232 are disposed on the side 102 ofthe substrate 100, and the first cathode terminal 214, the secondcathode terminal 224, and the third cathode terminal 234 are disposed onthe side 104 of the substrate 100. For this reason, the side 102 of onelight emitting apparatus 10 overlaps with the side 104 of the otherlight emitting apparatus 10, and thus the first anode terminal 212, thesecond anode terminal 222, and the third anode terminal 232 of the onelight emitting apparatus 10 are able to be connected to the firstcathode terminal 214, the second cathode terminal 224, and the thirdcathode terminal 234 of the other light emitting apparatus 10.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a light emitting driver 20 is connectedbetween the first anode terminal 212, the second anode terminal 222, andthe third anode terminal 232 of the light emitting apparatus 10positioned on the farthest upstream side of a current flow, and thefirst cathode terminal 214, the second cathode terminal 224, and thethird cathode terminal 234 of the light emitting apparatus 10 positionedon the farthest downstream side of the current flow. That is, in thisembodiment, serially connected bodies in which a plurality of lightemitting apparatuses 10 are connected in series share the light emittingdriver 20. The number of voltages which is able to be controlled by thedisplay driver 20 is small at three, and thus the structure of the lightemitting driver 20 becomes simple.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the distribution of luminance in theextending direction of the first luminescent line 110, the secondluminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130 in a referenceexample. In this example, the first cathode 114, the second cathode 124,and the third cathode 134 are identical solid electrodes. The firstluminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120, and the thirdluminescent line 130 emit light of a red color, a green color, and ablue color, respectively.

When light of a white color is desired to be emitted from the lightemitting apparatus 10, it is necessary to allow the first luminescentline 110, the second luminescent line 120, and the third luminescentline 130 to emit light at the same time. In an example illustrated inthis drawing, when the first luminescent line 110, the secondluminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130 emit light atthe same time, a difference between luminance on the anode terminal side(luminance on the side 102 side in FIG. 1) and luminance on the cathodeterminal side (luminance on the side 104 side in FIG. 1) of the firstluminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120, and the thirdluminescent line 130 is small. However, when the first luminescent line110, the second luminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130emit light independently, the difference between the luminance on theanode terminal side (the luminance on the side 102 side in FIG. 1) andthe luminance on the cathode terminal side (the luminance on the side104 side in FIG. 1) of all of the first luminescent line 110, the secondluminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130 is large.

The present inventors considered the reason therefore to be as follows.When the first luminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120,and the third luminescent line 130 emit light at the same time, theamount of current flowing through the solid electrode is large comparedto a case where the first luminescent line 110, the second luminescentline 120, and the third luminescent line 130 emit light independently.For this reason, when only the first luminescent line 110 emits light,the amount of current flowing through the first luminescent line 110 isdifferent from the case where the first luminescent line 110, the secondluminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130 emit light atthe same time even when the same voltage as that in a case where thefirst luminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120, and thethird luminescent line 130 emit light at the same time is applied to thefirst luminescent line 110. The same applies to the second luminescentline 120 and the third luminescent line 130. For this reason, in boththe case where the first luminescent line 110, the second luminescentline 120, and the third luminescent line 130 emit light at the sametime, and the case where the first luminescent line 110, the secondluminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130 emit lightindependently, it is difficult to make the difference between theluminance on the anode terminal side (the luminance on the side 102 sidein FIG. 1) and the luminance on the cathode terminal side (the luminanceon the side 104 side in FIG. 1) small.

In contrast, in this embodiment, the first anode 112, the second anode122, and the third anode 132 are independent from each other, and thefirst anode 112, the second anode 122, and the third anode 132 areindependent from each other. For this reason, a condition of the casewhere the first luminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120,and the third luminescent line 130 emit light at the same time isidentical to a condition of the case where the first luminescent line110, the second luminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130emit light independently. Accordingly, in both the case where the firstluminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120, and the thirdluminescent line 130 emit light at the same time, and the case where thefirst luminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120, and thethird luminescent line 130 emit light independently, it is possible tomake the difference between the luminance on the anode terminal side(the luminance on the side 102 side in FIG. 1) and the luminance on thecathode terminal side (the luminance on the side 104 side in FIG. 1)small. For example, when the higher luminance between the luminance onthe anode terminal side and luminance on the cathode terminal side is a,and the lower luminance is β, it is possible to set (α−β)/α<0.30.

Here, an effect of setting (α−β)/α<0.30 will be described with referenceto FIG. 11. FIG. 11 illustrates a result of investigating the extent towhich an observer recognizes the boundary line according to themagnitude of (α−β)/α. As illustrated in this drawing, in the case that(α−β)/α<0.1, the observer rarely recognizes the boundary line in anyluminescent pattern. In addition, in the case that (α−β)/α=0.2, theobserver rarely recognizes the boundary line excluding a part of theluminescent pattern. However, in the case that (α−β)/α=0.30, theobserver recognizes the boundary line in any luminescent pattern. Asmentioned above, it is preferable to set (α−β)/α<0.30.

In addition, even when each voltage input into the first luminescentline 110, the second luminescent line 120, and the third luminescentline 130 is changed, it is possible to prevent a distribution ofluminance therefrom from being changed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, in a range overlappingwith the first luminous body 116 when seen in a plan view, the firstanode 112 is not connected to the second anode 122, and the firstcathode 114 is not connected to the second cathode 124. For this reason,properties (for example, a size of resistance) of the first anode 112and the first cathode 114, and properties of the second anode 122 andthe second cathode 124 are able to be designed independently of eachother. In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 7, it ispossible to make the first luminescent line 110, the second luminescentline 120, and the third luminescent line 130 emit light at the same timecoincident with the condition of the case where the first luminescentline 110, the second luminescent line 120, and the third luminescentline 130 emit light independently. Accordingly, in both the case wherethe first luminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120, and thethird luminescent line 130 emit light at the same time, and the casewhere the first luminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120,and the third luminescent line 130 emit light independently, it ispossible to make the difference between the luminance on the anodeterminal side (the luminance on the side 102 side in FIG. 1) and theluminance on the cathode terminal side (the luminance on the side 104side in FIG. 1) small. Accordingly, it is possible to make a differencein luminance of the boundary line between the adjacent light emittingapparatuses 10 fall within a constant range.

Furthermore, in the example described above, each of the firstluminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120, and the thirdluminescent line 130 extends linearly. However, a planar layout of thefirst luminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120, and thethird luminescent line 130 is not limited thereto.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the first luminescent line 110,the second luminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130 maybe arranged to draw a coaxial circle. In this case, the first anodeterminal 212, the second anode terminal 222, and the third anodeterminal 232 are formed on the same side as that of the first cathodeterminal 214, the second cathode terminal 224, and the third cathodeterminal 234. Then, the first luminescent line 110, the secondluminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130 are not formedin a portion facing the first anode terminal 212, the second anodeterminal 222, the third anode terminal 232, the first cathode terminal214, the second cathode terminal 224, and the third cathode terminal234.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the first luminescent line 110,the second luminescent line 120, and the third luminescent line 130 maybe repeatedly and radially arranged along an arc.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a configuration ofthe first luminescent line 110, the second luminescent line 120, and thethird luminescent line 130 included in the light emitting apparatus 10according to a second embodiment. The light emitting apparatus 10according to this embodiment has the same configuration as that of thelight emitting apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment except forthe following.

In this embodiment, the first anode 112, the second anode 122, and thethird anode 132 are transparent electrodes. The first anode 112 isformed to be wider than the first luminous body 116 and the firstcathode 114. The same applies to the second anode 122 and the thirdanode 132.

Then, an auxiliary electrode 118 is formed in a portion of the firstanode 112 protruding from the first luminous body 116. The auxiliaryelectrode 118 is formed of a material having resistance lower than thatof the first anode 112, for example, a metal material such as Al. Theauxiliary electrode 118 extends in the same direction as the first anode112.

Furthermore, an auxiliary electrode 128 is formed on the second anode122, and an auxiliary electrode 138 is formed on the third anode 132.The configuration of the auxiliary electrode 128 and the auxiliaryelectrode 138 is identical to the configuration of the auxiliaryelectrode 118.

According to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the firstembodiment is able to be obtained. In addition, the auxiliary electrodes118, 128, and 138 are disposed in parallel with the first anode 112, thesecond anode 122, and the third anode 132 which are transparentelectrodes, and thus it is possible to easily make a resistance value ofthe first anode 112, the second anode 122, and the third anode 132 perunit length close to a resistance value of the first cathode 114, thesecond cathode 124, and the third cathode 134 per unit length.

As described above, the embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the drawings, but the embodiments are anexample of the present invention, and other various configurations inaddition to the above configuration are able to be adopted.

1. An organic EL device comprising a light emitting member, the lightemitting member comprising: a first cathode on a substrate, and a firstluminous body interposed between a first anode and the first cathode;and a second cathode on a substrate, and a second luminous bodyinterposed between a second anode and the second cathode, wherein thefirst luminous body is next to the second luminous body, and the firstanode is not connected to the second anode and the second cathode, andthe first cathode is not connected to the second anode and the secondcathode.
 2. The organic EL device according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a plurality of the light emitting members, wherein theplurality of the light emitting members are connected in series.
 3. Theorganic EL device according to claim 1, wherein the light emittingmember includes a first anode terminal connected to the first anode, asecond anode terminal connected to the second anode, a first cathodeterminal connected to the first cathode, and a second cathode terminalconnected to the second cathode.
 4. The organic EL device according toclaim 3, further comprising: a plurality of the light emitting members,wherein the first anode terminal of one light emitting member isconnected to the first cathode terminal of another light emitting membernext to the one light emitting member, and the second anode terminal ofthe one light emitting member is connected to the second cathodeterminal of the another light emitting member next to the one lightemitting member.
 5. The organic EL device according to claim 4, whereinthe first anode terminal of the one light emitting member is connectedin series to the first cathode terminal of the another light emittingmember next to the one light emitting member, and the second anodeterminal of the one light emitting member is connected in series to thesecond cathode terminal of the another light emitting member next to theone light emitting member.
 6. The organic EL device according to claim1, wherein a color of light emitted from the first luminous body isdifferent from a color of light emitted from the second luminous body.7. The organic EL device of claim 1, wherein the first luminous body andthe second luminous body extend in one or more of a circular, linear, orarc arrangement.
 8. The organic EL device of claim 1, wherein the firstluminous body and the second luminous body are arranged in a coaxialcircle.
 9. The organic EL device of claim 1, wherein the first luminousbody and the second luminous body are arranged along an arc.
 10. Theorganic EL device of claim 9, wherein the first luminous body and thesecond luminous body are arranged along the arc in at least one ofradially and repeatedly.
 11. The organic EL device of claim 3, whereinthe substrate is rectangular, the first anode terminal and the secondanode terminal are disposed on a first side of the substrate, and thefirst cathode terminal and the second cathode terminal are disposed on asecond side of the substrate opposite to the first side.
 12. The organicEL device according to claim 1, wherein a resistance value of the firstanode per unit length is approximately identical to a resistance valueof the first cathode per unit length.
 13. The organic EL deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein one of an anode group including the firstanode and the second anode and a cathode group including the firstcathode and the second cathode is a transparent electrode, and the otheris a metal electrode, and the light emitting apparatus further comprisesan auxiliary electrode which is disposed in parallel with thetransparent electrode, and is formed of a material having resistancelower than that of a material configuring the transparent electrode.